A Message from Mayor Coffman - May 11

The transitioning to the “Safer-at-Home” phase signals important progress in our work to flatten the curve and ensure our top-notch medical facilities can provide the care that coronavirus patients need. This does not mean that the fight is over or that we can no longer be vigilant. I encourage all Aurorans to continue to listen to and heed the guidance about social distancing and face coverings, especially as some businesses begin to reopen and we resume more activities outside the home. Here are a few items and resources that might be of interest.

Safer-At-Home Phase Began May 9 for all of Aurora

Tri-County Health Department's Stay-at-Home order expired Friday, May 8 for Adams and Arapahoe counties. All Aurora residents are now under the state's Safer-at-Home order.

As critical businesses can remain open, many non-critical businesses began to open May 9 with some restrictions outlined by the state. As businesses are returning and offering more services, it is more important than ever to keep that local support going. Returning our small businesses to financial health will be key to reviving our economy, getting people back to work, and providing Aurora and the metro area with a sustainable recovery.

As an increased number of businesses begin operating under the state-wide Safer-At-Home Order in Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties, Tri-County Health Department announced a newly-established Business Re-Opening Task Force. This task force was developed to support businesses as they operationalize COVID-19 plans for reopening. TCHD’s Business Re-Opening Task Force will be available over the coming weeks to answers questions and provide guidance on requirements under the Safer-At-Home order. Businesses can access this service through email at covidbusinessrecovery@tchd.org and by phone at 720.713.6030. More information can be found on Tri-County’s the Safer at Home Guide for Businesses, available here. To learn more about Tri-County Health Department’s directives for residents, click here to visit its website.

Conversation with Tri-County Executive Director

I invited Dr. John Douglas, Executive Director of Tri-County Health Department, to join a conversation with the Aurora City Council and myself to discuss efficacy of face covering and COVID-19 related initiatives. Join us Monday, May 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. You can tune in to the conversation by phone: dial access number 1.877.820.7831; enter participant Passcode: 254610#

#OneAurora Initiative

#OneAurora is a social media campaign designed to unify the community during this Safer-at-Home phase and encourage our residents and businesses to work together to keep us safe and on the path to recovery. I encourage residents and businesses to use #OneAurora in their social media posts when supporting best practices for stopping the spread of COVID-19 and witnessing people in the community acting as #OneAurora.

Mayor Mike Live

Starting Friday, May 15 at 3 p.m., I will provide weekly updates, live streamed simultaneously, on the city’s Facebook platform (@AuroraGov) and AuroraTV.org. The weekly updates, “Mayor Mike Live,” will focus on COVID-19-related developments taking place that affect Aurora residents and businesses, such as city initiatives like the loan and grant program, community needs survey, rental assistance programs, food assistance efforts and any other subjects you would like to cover. Hope you can join me this Friday.

In the News

Last week, I joined a press briefing alongside Tri-County Health Department and STRIDE Community Health Center to discuss the transition to a Safer at Home stage.

The Aurora Economic Development Council and Cushman & Wakefield announced this week JAG Logistics Center @ DEN, a prominent 250-acre industrial park located immediately south of Denver International Airport, in Aurora, Adams County, Colorado has signed its first two tenants only 18 months after the development’s conception and more than two months prior to the completion of its first building.

City Services and Activities

Beginning this week, the city will begin to award funds from Aurora Economic Relief Loan and Grant Program to those small businesses and nonprofits selected for financial assistance. The city is awarding $1 million to fulfill an immediate funding need for Aurora small businesses waiting for additional funding assistance from state and federal sources.

Some Aurora services which were previously suspended will be opening back up in the coming weeks, but with new and different procedures. Aurora Golf Courses, for instance, have reopened for play and offer an outdoor recreational activity that was greatly missed by many of our regular customers.

As we continue to develop processes for safely offering other activities and in-person services, we will be sure to communicate those both on our website at AuroraGov.org/COVID19 and on the city’s social media channels @AuroraGov.

Finding Assistance

The Small Business Administration resumed accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders April 27. For a link to the website and a list of participating lenders in our area, visit AuroraGov.org/COVID-19 and click on Business Resources.

If you have been impacted by a job loss during COVID-19, please take a look at the Colorado Department of Labor and Enrollment's new one-stop resource website, OnwardCO.org. The website can connect you with services, funds and jobs during this crisis.

Connecting with Us

Our Aurora residents and businesses come first. The Aurora City Council and I want to make it easy for you to connect with us. Visit AuroraGov.org/Council to find the best way to communicate with each of us.